\n\tMinister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani said Tuesday that the\n government had authorized relevant firms to increase the production of \ndetergents, disinfectants and hygiene products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tThere has been a substantial increase in the production of items such \nas masks, hand sanitizers and disposable gloves since early February, he\n added, according to Press TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tFaced with a sudden surge in demand for disinfectant liquids and \nsurgical masks following the outbreak, the country experienced an \ninitial shortage of supplies but soon intensified efforts to satisfy the\n market need through increased domestic production as well as imports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tAlso speaking on Tuesday, Gholamhossein Esmaili, the Iranian \nJudiciary\u2019s spokesman, gave news of multiple arrests in connection with \nthe hoarding and smuggling of medical supplies, disinfectants, \nprotective masks and gloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tHe explained that if convicted on the charge of ‘spreading corruption \non earth,’ these individuals could face the death penalty. Otherwise, \nthey could be handed lengthy prison terms of between five and 20 years \nfor disrupting the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tThe coronavirus \u2013 named COVID-19 \u2013 first emerged in China late last \nyear and is now spreading in Europe and across the Middle East, sparking\n fears of a global pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tSince December 2019, over 91,300 people have been infected in several countries, with 3,120 deaths mostly in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tAs of Tuesday, Iran’s Health Ministry reported 77 deaths and 2,336 infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tMost of the infections have been reported in Tehran, Rasht as well as the city of Qom where the virus was first found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tEsmaili assured that the prisoners incarcerated over security offenses \nare being kept in far better conditions compared to other inmates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Iran says the production of disinfectants and hygiene products has at least doubled over the past two weeks as the country steps up the battle against a new coronavirus outbreak. Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani said Tuesday that the government had authorized relevant firms to increase the production of detergents, disinfectants and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8,4,7],"tags":[1069,1068,28],"yoast_head":"\n